Proper nutrition is about healthy eating, for healthy eating food is classified into four groups. The four food groups are essential to a balance diet, but they are not equal in value.
The four groups are shown in the picture below. Can you identify them?
The four food groups in order of importance are:
- Vegetables & Fruit
- Grain Products
- Milk and Milk Alternatives
- Meat & Meat alternatives
To maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight, it is important that the right amount of food from each group is consumed daily. The amount we need is measured by the number of servings and the size of a serving.
Although the size of a serving is the same for everyone, the number of servings we require is based on age and gender. The number of servings we need also varies from one food group to another.
The daily food intake for overweight and obese people is the same as for everyone. With the daily recommended exercise overweight people can control weight gain.
It is essential that we eat foods from all four groups and not eliminate any from our diet. The most important group is 'Vegetables & Fruit, the second most important is 'Grain Products.' These two groups provide most of our essential nutrients.
Milk and Meat Products are the next two groups, they are associated with caution when choosing them. They are both associated with saturated fat, for this there is a limit on how much should be eaten and which ones should be avoided. Too much animal meat is linked to cancer, for this it is wise to eat no more than is recommended. legumes, beans and lentils are excellent alternatives to animal meat and can be eaten without restriction.
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